ALAMO Thoughts
It is that time of year for me to remind my readers about the
magnificent stand by the defenders of The Alamo back in 1836.
The Alamo fell on March 6 of that year. For more than 13 days,
186 brave and determined patriots withstood Santa Anna''s
seasoned army of over 5,000 troops. To a man, the defenders of
that mission fort knew they would never leave those ramparts
alive. They had several opportunities to leave and live. Yet, they
chose to fight and die. How foolish they must look to this
generation of spoiled Americans! It is difficult to recall that
stouthearted men such as Davy Crockett (a nationally known
frontiersman and former Congressman), Will Travis (only 23
years old with a little baby at home), and Jim Bowie (a wealthy
landowner with properties on both sides of the Rio Grande) really
existed. These were real men with real dreams and real desires.
Real blood flowed through their veins. They loved their families
and enjoyed life as much as any of us. There was something
different about them, however. They possessed a commitment to
liberty that transcended personal safety and comfort. Liberty is
an easy word to say, but it is a hard word to live up to. Freedom
has little to do with financial gain or personal pleasure.
Accompanying Freedom is her constant and unattractive
companion, Responsibility. Neither is she an only child. Patriotism
and Morality are her sisters. They are inseparable; destroy one
and all will die. Early in the siege, Travis wrote these words to the
people of Texas: "Fellow Citizens & Compatriots: I am besieged
by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. The
enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise the
garrison are to be put to the sword. I have answered the demand
with a cannon shot & our flag still waves proudly from the walls. I
shall never surrender or retreat. VICTORY OR DEATH! P.S. The
Lord is on our side." As you read those words, remember that
Travis and the others did not have the A.C.L.U., P.E.T.A., People
for the un-American Way, and the National Education Association
telling them how intolerant and narrow-minded their notions of
honor and patriotism were. A hostile media did not constantly
castigate them as a bunch of wild- eyed extremists. As school
children, they were not taught that their forefathers were
nothing more than racist jerks. The brave men at the Alamo
labored under the belief that America (and Texas) really was
"the land of the free and the home of the brave." They believed
God was on their side and that the freedom of future generations
depended on their courage and resolve. They further believed
their posterity would remember their sacrifice as an act of love
and devotion. It all looks pale now. By today''s standards, the
gallant men of the Alamo appear rather foolish. After all, they
had no chance of winning-none! However, the call for pragmatism
and practicality was never sounded. Instead, they answered the
clarion call, "Victory or death!" Please try to remember the
heroes of the Alamo as you listen to our gutless political and
religious leaders calling for compromise and tolerance. Try to
recall the time in this country when ordinary men and women had
the courage of their convictions and were willing to sacrifice
their lives for freedom and independence. One thing is certain:
those courageous champions did not die for a political party or
for some "lesser of two evils" mantra! They fought and died for a
principle. So did the men at Lexington and Concord. That is our
heritage. On second thought, do they look foolish, or do we?